Manfrotto MA 454 Micro Positioning Plate

This is a very well made piece of kit but I suppose you can expect that from both the price and manufacturer. As expected it works right out of the packet, once the screw thread is inserted, and the movement is very smooth indeed. It is a very basic and no nonsense tool for macro work. What else can I say?

This is a typically well made Manfrotto item. It has a precise worm screw movement with the ability to fast slide and then adjust with accuracy and lock in position. The base is solid without any flex and the movement is extremely smooth. This is perfect for macro work. One thing to note is that there is no transverse movement, it is all on the one plane.

Better than I expected, and worth the money, as the quality of excellent. For macro photography, this has allowed me finer control of camera position,and the camera tends to stay on this mount all the time.I have found I need to take care not to bump my cheek on the end nearest me, though; especially when the camera is at thefar end, and the slide is wound out. Squinting into the viewfinder means you need to turn your head before looking into the screen. I can't see a way around this, and its not a problem unique to this make or model of slide.The slide mounts slightly offset onto the tripod plate, but that works fine.Overall, I am very pleased with this. It is all metal, and not the plastic some other makes use.

A simple geared slider suitable for macro photography. Mine arrived same day in perfect condition. It’s identical to the one pictured. Super fine adjustments are possible. Not sure what’s gone on in the past, but I’m really pleased with the product which is exactly as described on Amazon’s website. Great price too.

I must have got an older or newer model because, the Knobs on mine are black not gold coloured, the slot where the screw goes is longer and its missing a section where there is a rubber cap. The instruction leaflet dated 2014 that came with mine shows a slightly different model that I received, The instruction show how it comes with 2 screws and something stored under a rubber cap.I got 1 screw and an adapter screw in my packaging.For some reason when I mount my camera to this and put it on my tripod and point it downwards so the weight is pulling in the direction of the rail it moves forward fine but when I try and turn the screws to make it move backward it skips/jumps and wont move backwards correctly (like the ratchet lever keeps disengaging slightly) It works fine when positioned horizontally.Its does have a bit of movement as the threaded drive is on one side so moves forward first and the other side which only slidescatches up! Also be careful with the threading on the screw thread!! I turned the screw while my finger was touching the thread and its sharp! and cut me. After a bit of turning only after a few mins of use I've noticed some tiny brass shavings appear be coming from either the thread or internally as I managed to get a tiny tiny shard of metal lodged as a splinter in my skin while using it.When I mount my camera and lens onto it there is not enough clearance for the lens so its rubbing off the base plate.(105mm sigma 2.8 macro) you really need to get some release plate or buffer to raise your camera body a little higher from the base plate.I initially was not going to Purchase this rail and I was going to go for the Velbon Mag Slider but I've heard the velbon internallyuses plastic bushings that can break/wear more easily than the more sturdy all metal manfrotto.Two things.

By carrying the Manfrotto brand I was expecting the MA 454 Micro Positioning Plate to be a well engineered high quality piece of kit and I am not disappointed. The MA 454 has a very smooth and finely controlled 2 way movement with only a little backlash when reversing direction. More expensive than many others on the market, but if you want precision then quality does cost.

Appears well built and robust but time will tell. It's a pity there is no lateral adjustment. The 'micro' adjust knobs are fiddly if you have large fingers and the screw to fasten the camera to the assembly is small and awkward to screw in. Micro focus stacking is easy enough with patience

Robust, smooth action, simple to operate and very good value for money. If you are a close-up/ macro/ micro photographer, this plate is fantastic for extremely accurate control of depth of field and also facilitates focus-stacking photography. If you haven't got one of these, get one: fits on top of any tripod.